Preparing For A Digital World In Bethpage

By Betty Ommerman
STAFF WRITER
(Newsday also did an article on June 4, 2001)
September 16, 2001

IT'S A SCHOOL within a school. It's the Bethpage Technology Academy, a high-tech training center within the walls of Bethpage High School.

The academy, which opened its doors to juniors and seniors June 4, is part of the district's push - led by director of technology Terry Clark - to prepare students for careers in the digital world.

Some of last term's eighth-graders at the John F. Kennedy Middle School, still a couple of years short of being eligible for academy classes, refined their skills so well they created a Web page for the Grumman Historical Center in Bethpage.

The Bethpage Union Free School District is said to be the first on Long Island to enter into a corporate partnership with neighboring Briarcliffe College and technological companies such as Cablevision Systems, ClassLink Technologies, Cisco Systems, Dell Computer, Lightpath, Open Systems Technologies and Panduit. The partnership provides students with internship opportunities, training in networking programming and sessions with guest speakers.

"The fast-changing world of technology is creating a demand for a new breed of worker that is tech-savvy, well-rounded and able to problem-solve," Clark said. "Technology has become central to everyday life and is pivotal to our education mission of preparing students for the 21st century global society. The involvement of these high-tech companies, both large and small, will enable our students to experience the industry firsthand."

Clark, who was known for his use of technology while a social studies teacher at the high school from 1987 to 1993, became the district director in 1994 and is in charge of technology for Central Boulevard, Charles Champagne and Kramer Lane elementary schools as well as for the middle school and high school.

The academy's technology classes are considered elective courses, and students can decide when to take them. Two certificates are offered. One, the advanced diploma in information technology, includes Web design, computer architecture, Cisco Network Academy offering CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification, computer programming and Advanced Placement computer science. Graduates who earn CCNA certification will be able to work as entry-level networkers, installing simple networks on computers in the home or small office. The second diploma, the advanced diploma in new media, includes computer-assisted design, Web and advanced Web design, computer graphics, multimedia design and digital photography.

Sandeep Pahuja, 17, a Bethpage High School senior, took academy electives last semester. "I am hoping that when college entrance boards see my resume, they will appreciate my determination to pursue a career in information systems and will recognize that I graduated from a high school that was on the cutting edge of technology," he said. "I just think it's a realization that the world we live in is fast-paced and quickly changing, and I'm glad that the school officials are savvy enough to realize that our curriculum needs to keep pace with all of that."

Fellow senior and academy student Tara Costa hopes her CCNA certification will document her skill in computers. "Men far outnumber women in information technology, especially at the executive level," she said. "But I expect to change that ... I want girls to know that these careers are open to them and that they should not abdicate this industry to boys."

Part of the technology education starts before attending classes at the academy. The Grumman Historical Center's Web page was created by students Juliano Chan, Kevin Cooper, Sal DiMaio and William Vint under the direction of their teacher, Chris Attard. The center's staff first met with the students and gave them a tour. The students then interviewed them and took digital photos. The page highlights the history of Grumman Corp., which was acquired in 1994 by Northrop to form Northrop Grumman, and its contributions to aviation and space exploration. Documents describe women who worked there during World War II as well as planes built there during World War II and the Cold War.

"Our community should be proud that these JFK students had been selected to work on this historically significant and technologically advanced project that touches so many people in the Bethpage community and on Long Island," Clark said.